Newcastle Harness Racing Club hope to resurrect their Cup next year after attempts to bring it back this season fell short. NHRC secretary-manager Wayne Smith had been working to run the Newcastle Cup, believed to have been last held in 2013, as part of the Harness Racing NSW carnival of cups program after the elevation of the Mile to group 1 status last month. However, funding for the Cup - a $30,000 group 3 event when held - could not be secured. Smith, though, said the club wanted to bring it back and would do their best to make it happen in 2020. The club held only three races on Saturday night before the rain-affected conditions prompted stewards to abandon the rest of the program. Salt Ash trainer Neil Thompson's Franco Storm and Medowie trainer Darren Reay's Vieira were winners.

Harness racing: Newcastle club set sights on Cup revival

Newcastle Harness Racing Club hope to resurrect their Cup next year after attempts to bring it back this season fell short.

NHRC secretary-manager Wayne Smith had been working to run the Newcastle Cup, believed to have been last held in 2013, as part of the Harness Racing NSW carnival of cups program after the elevation of the Mile to group 1 status last month.

However, funding for the Cup - a $30,000 group 3 event when held - could not be secured. Smith, though, said the club wanted to bring it back and would do their best to make it happen in 2020.

The club held only three races on Saturday night before the rain-affected conditions prompted stewards to abandon the rest of the program.